A formal instruction issued by the project owner or the owner’s representative directing the contractor to proceed with a change to the scope of work before the parties have reached complete agreement on the adjustment to the contract price or schedule. It essentially authorizes the contractor to begin working on the changed condition immediately, while negotiations continue to finalize the full impact of the change. For example, if unforeseen subsurface conditions necessitate a redesign of the foundation, this instruction allows the contractor to start the revised foundation work without waiting for a fully executed change order.
The primary benefit of this mechanism lies in maintaining project momentum. By allowing work to continue on the changed portion, it prevents delays to the overall project completion. It provides a framework for managing unforeseen circumstances and scope adjustments efficiently. Historically, this approach emerged as a response to the inefficiencies caused by lengthy negotiation periods, ensuring that critical construction activities were not unnecessarily stalled.
